Posts Tagged ‘Toontown’

We have just returned from our most recent Disneyland research trip (hence the resounding silence of the last few days), and have a few interesting (sic.) things to share with you before we return to our current mania for posting the contents of other people’s mail.

One thing we noticed for the first time at Disneyland was the pattern of window cutouts in the homes in Toontown. Take a look:

Minnie’s house shows heart cutouts, because she’s so full of love.

Mickey’s house has diamonds, because he’s the shining jewel of Toontown.

Goofy’s house has clubs, because his house is a clubhouse.

Pluto’s dog house (not pictured here) has spades, but we’re not sure why.

Any theories on why there is a card theme to these cutouts? Or why Donald’s boat has circles instead of more card-related shapes?

We are sure there is some deep meaning here, but are unable to puzzle it out.

The old picture was taken during a dark, dark time in Disneyland history when management was unwilling to spend more money on park upkeep than was absolutely necessary and the bulk of the park’s electricity came from a dynamo powered by Walt Disney spinning in his grave. Paint is chipped, the Mickey clock is showing the wrong time, and look at how drab and faded everything looks when compared to the bright, beautiful, whimsical Toontown of today!

Thank goodness those days are long gone and we can have pride in our park again!

Why does the side entrance to the Candy Palace look like the entrance to a penny arcade? There are two reasons. First, because only people with money are attracted to an arcade, and Disneyland’s marketing department loves it when the park’s stores are filled with people who have money. And second, because people who are tricked into a candy store are less likely to say “Wait! This isn’t a penny arcade!” and more likely to say “Hey! Candy!”

This may sound cold, calculating, and unmagically marketing centered, but in reality it’s something that Disneyland has been doing from day one. The next time you visit the park, notice just how many examples there are of “bait and switch” tactics employed. For example:

Almost nothing in the Tiki Room is actually enchanted.

The Pirates are from Anaheim, not the Carri bean.

We’re supposed to believe that the Pooh ride is an “attraction?” Really?

Nothing negative is implied by these revelations, of course. All these minor deceptions are designed to enhance the guest experience in one way or another. If they leave you feeling a little uneasy, though, just remember that the Haunted Mansion really is haunted, Toontown is officially a California town, and the Matterhorn is, in fact, 100% matter.

Disney fans are all atwitter over YouTube videos taken at Disneyland yesterday showing Mickey Mouse not just shaking hands and signing autographs, but actually speaking to guests. “The technology is incredible,” said one guest, communicating solely through facial expressions. “Mickey’s mouth and eyes were moving, just as if he were a real gigantic anthropomorphic mouse and not just a poor, underpaid cast member sweating in a ginormous mouse helmet. He even addressed my son by name. My husband doesn’t even do that!”

To get the inside scoop on this new development, we contacted Bonita Chequita, a Disneyland representative chosen at random from the Anaheim phone directory. Said Chequita, “We’ve had a lot of positive feedback about the new animated Mickey character head, but I’m sorry to say it has less to do with improved technology and more to do with some kind of spirit possession. That’s how it knows kids names, tells fortunes, and causes unbelievers and Shrek fans to claw at their eyes in agonizing pain. We’re not sure if it’s a ghost or a demonic influence or what. All we know is that weird stuff has been happening ever since one of the maintenance workers dredged up what looked like an old Tiki Room artifact from the mud at the bottom of the Rivers of America. A duck tried to stop a monorail, DCA attendance is up — all sorts of weird, inexplicable things are happening. We’ve contacted tiki-curse expert Mike Lookinland to see what can be done. But until then, enjoy the show, everybody!”